What happened
On 31 January 2002, an AVIATIKA 890 CSH aircraft, registered ZU-BER, was engaged in agricultural spraying operations near Baynsfield in the Pietermaritzburg area. The pilot was performing the second spraying run of the day and had recently completed refueling. After finishing an initial spray pass, the pilot initiated a standard left-hand turn and climb to reposition the aircraft for the subsequent run.
During this maneuver, the pilot realized the aircraft was positioned too close to a small hillside within the field. In an attempt to avoid the obstacle, the pilot applied full power to turn away from the terrain. However, the aircraft lacked the necessary airspeed and engine power to complete the maneuver, leading to a collision with the hillside. Despite the impact, the pilot was able to level the wings before the crash. There were no fatalities or injuries reported, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the flight, focusing on the aircraft's performance and the pilot's maneuvering during the spraying cycle. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was being operated under a valid commercial license and that the pilot possessed significant flying experience. The investigation established that the accident occurred during a routine repositioning turn following a completed spray run.